The Medina County District Library welcomes and encourages the use of its facilities and services by vulnerable adults. A vulnerable adult is an individual over the age of 18 who has a physical or mental infirmity or other physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction that significantly impairs the individual's ability to provide adequately for their own care or manage their own behavior without assistance.

Every reasonable attempt will be made within the limitations of MCDL facilities to accommodate the special needs of individuals or groups of attended vulnerable adults. The Library staff is not trained to provide care for vulnerable adults and a responsible adult, legal guardian, or caregiver should accompany vulnerable adults while they are using the Library. This responsible adult, legal guardian or caregiver is responsible for the safety, managing the behavior, and monitoring the activities of the vulnerable adult in their care.

If the responsible adult, caretaker or legal guardian cannot be reached, Library Staff will contact the local law enforcement agency to take charge of the situation involving the vulnerable adult.

Library employees are not permitted to transport vulnerable adults away from the Library facilities.

If an unattended vulnerable adult comes to the attention of Library staff and refuses the supervision of a responsible adult, legal guardian, or caregiver while in a Library Facility, the vulnerable adult will be held to the same rules of conduct as all Library members and will be subject to the same sanctions so long as they are using the Library as an independent adult.

Library staff cannot be expected to monitor or prevent a vulnerable adult from leaving the building and Library Staff cannot be responsible for any consequences resulting from the responsible adult, legal guardian or caregiver not fulfilling their responsibilities.

An incident report will be completed when a responsible adult, legal guardian, caregiver, or law enforcement is called.

Policy No: SS-13
Title: Unattended Vulnerable Adults
Board Approval Date: 10-01-2018
Staff Reviewed Date: 05-01-2025
Revised Date: 10-01-2018
Effective Date: 10-01-2018